The chief forecaster added: “Strongest winds will reach the northwest early on Thursday, extending to the northeast and Northern Isles in the afternoon.

“Winds will start to ease in the west by then with the strongest of the winds becoming confined to the Northern Isles in the evening. Snow showers will turn increasingly frequent and heavy across northern Scotland during the evening.”

The forthcoming bout of bad weather is set to be unleashed on the UK later on Wednesday. The area of low pressure will become situated to the north-west of the country and deepen as it moves eastwards.

Winds will also strengthen to gales along the south and west coasts bringing persistent rain to many parts of the country.

Downpours will continue to move south-eastwards from Ireland and western Britain during Thursday night, reaching the south-east by dawn, with winds veering to north-westerlies.

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